A view of the redeveloped ice rink at the Villaggio Mall in Doha where the inaugural edition of the FIBA Asia 3x3 Championship for Men and Women will kick off tomorrow. Hosted by Qatar Basketball Federation (QAF), the event has attracted 16 teams in the men’s category while another 14 sides will compete in women’s event.
DOHA: The stage is set as Qatar prepares to host the inaugural FIBA Asia 3x3 tournament, an event that is trying to win the confidence of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for a place in the Games programme.
Qatar will field two teams in the men’s and women’s categories at the event which commences tomorrow at Villaggio Mall.
In the men’s category, Qatar Maroon and Qatar Grey will be among the 16 teams, who have been divided into four groups. The two top teams will advance to the knock-out stages.
The two-day event has attracted IOC members, who will be keeping a close eye on the tournament as FIBA, the body in charge of international basketball competitions, tries to push the fun and entertaining format of the sport to the world’s biggest sporting programme.
Saadoun Al Kuwari, Executive Director of Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) recently said: “There will be IOC members as well as Asian Basketball Federation officials attending the competition in the hope of adding the 3x3 format to the Olympic Games in the future.”
He added: “This competition (men’s and women’s) as well as the boy’s and girl’s tournament will act as a demonstration event. So by August, the IOC wants to see some evidence of the format.”
On court, Qatar Maroon will be led by Trey Johnson, who was part of the team that clinched bronze medal at the 4th FIBA Asia Cup in Japan last September.
The Qatari national team player has also enjoyed a strong season with Italy’s Pallacanestro Biella, and will eager to impress on home soil.
Likewise, Qatar Grey can count on the Boney Watson, who played an important role in Al Rayyan’s triumphs this season. The 35-year-old won the Heir Apparent Cup and Emir Cup, after missing out on the Qatar Basketball League title in March.
One person, who will be hard to miss on the court is Indonesia’s Max Yanto, who is 7’ 1” inch tall.
Indonesia Basketball Federation Secretary General Agus Mauro said of the player: “Max Yanto is a player who we think will be suitable more in half-court basketball. He has height and size, but has problems in moving up and down the court. Now he is under special training for his moves at the post to cater more in 3x3.”
The tournament will provide an opportunity to promote the sport in many countries.
Among the players competing in the women’s event is India’s Anna Geetha, who won a gold medal in the Asian Games at Haiyang last year.
She admits she wants to taste victory come Thursday evening but promises her side will give their best.
Geetha said: “We were the gold medalists at the last Asian Beach Games (at Haiyang). That was an unexpected win. But I am happy that we won.”
She told reporters: “We went to that championship keeping in mind to give our best. This time also that’s our motto ‘Do or Die.’ Whatever the result, we’ll definitely give our best.”
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